PlantTemp – Plant wide control of steel bath temperature

Initial Situation

  • The aim of steel bath temperature control is to prepare the melt such that it meets the target temperature at casting.
  • In electric arc furnace and ladle furnace steel melt is superheated, to built up a temperature buffer.
  • During subsequent treatment steps such as vacuum degassing, fine alloying, and soft stirring the excess temperature buffer is reduced.
  • The operator has to balance energy input with the expected dynamic energy losses based on his experience.

Working topics

  • A current spot measurement procedure of steel melt temperature is assessed by continuous fibre optical temperature measurements during case studies.
  • A dynamic process model is applied for through process temperature control.
  • An operator advisory system is implemented for optimized through-process temperature monitoring and control.
  • The advisory system gives operational advice regarding appropriate measurement procedures and optimises control set-points for the operation during the remaining treatment time.

Results

  • Supporting the operator in through-process temperature control.
  • Improved accuracy in meeting the target casting temperature.
  • Optimised resource efficiency with reduced electric energy consumption.
  • Less variation of casting speed, improved surface quality.

This project is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

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